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Bee Branch man charged in truck theft

A Bee Branch man has been arrested after a deer hunter reported his vehicle was broken into last week.

On Oct. 20, 2013, the man reported to the Van Buren County sheriff’s office that his vehicle had been broken into while he was hunting in the Black Hills Road area in Bee Branch and that several items were missing.

He reported hearing noise in the area of his vehicle and believes that was the time the suspect broke into his vehicle. Responding deputies found evidence at the scene and quickly developed a suspect.

The person of interest in this case was determined to be a parolee assigned to the Mountain View office. A search of his residence revealed several items that were taken from the reporting party’s vehicle, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

David Hocut was arrested at the scene and charged with breaking or entering, theft of property and felon in possession of a firearm. Hocut appeared in Van Buren County Circuit Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The state is seeking to revoke Hocut’s probation and asked that he be held without bond. Judge Charles Clawson set bond for Hocut at $15,000. Hocut’s next court date was set for Dec. 19.